Help With Topwater Rod Choice

[Firstoutfisher]

Just recently picked up a Daiwa Tatula SV TWS on sale for $100 and it casts like a dream. However I don't currently have a rod to pair it with. Looking for a final rod to round out my collection. I was thinking of a medium casting in the 6'6" to 6'10" range to use for topwater, walking baits, poppers, ploppers etc. but I'm open to suggestions for a good rod to round out the collection. My budget is around $200.

 

Currently I have:

Shimano SLX glass 7' MM w/ 6:3:1 SLX

Shimano  SLX MH 7' fast w/ 7:1:1 SLX

Dobyns Fury 703sf 7' medium spinning w/ Daiwa Tatula LT 3000

Lews Custom Pro 6'10 ML spinning w/ Okuma RTX 25

Daiwa AirdX 7' Heavy w/  7.5:1 lews superduty G speed spool

 

 

[kayaking_kev]

I been using a Tatula 7'0 Medium Power / Regular Action rod for size 75 & 90 Whopper Plopper. It's designed for shallow cranks and topwater. I'm not sure though if there would be really any difference in action compared to your Fury 703sf.

 

There's been a lot of people asking for rod recommendations for around $200 lately and I have told them all to spend $20 more and get an Expride on BF. They have a nice 6'10" model.

[ChrisD46]

*Top Water is a two rod minimum deal for me : A shorter M/F bait casting for poppers and a longer MH/F for Spooks and larger wake baits.

[Hook2Jaw]

33 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

*Top Water is a two rod minimum deal for me : A shorter M/F bait casting for poppers and a longer MH/F for Spooks and larger wake baits.

I understand this fully, my topwater collection is starting to outgrow the rating of my Medium Fast stick.

 

I think a person could keep it to one rod should they have a good idea of what weight baits they're planning on throwing.

 

@Firstoutfisher

My heart says a Daiwa Tatula Elite 6'9" MLR is a good move for a universal topwater rod for baits under half an ounce.  I haven't used one, but I can say the 6'9" HF is an excellent stick and I imagine the rest of the series is too.  If you look around you can find deals for this stick on ebay. 

[FryDog62]

Last year I bought an ALX IKOS “Buzz” rod for Topwater. It’s a medium but rated a little heavier up to 3/4 oz where most mediums top out at 1/2 to 5/8 oz. I use it obviously for buzzbaits, but also 75/90 Ploppers and up to a 3/4 oz Choppo 105 (which might have been my best Topwater lure this season). It’s 7 feet long, but I also throw an Arashi Cover Pop and can walk it as well... $150. 
 

The other rod I use that is 6’8” MH moderate-fast for jerkbaits, Topwater and walking baits... is a Dobyns Champ 685 in their crankbait line up. Can probably get on Black Friday somewhere for approx $200.